Ryukyu Islands

The Ryukyu Islands, also known as the Nansei Islands (南西諸島, Nansei-shotō, literally Southwest Islands), is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyūshū in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin pronunciation Liuqiu. They stretch southwest from the Japanese island of Kyūshū ... more

The Ryukyu Islands, also known as the Nansei Islands (南西諸島, Nansei-shotō, literally Southwest Islands), is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyūshū in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin pronunciation Liuqiu. They stretch southwest from the Japanese island of Kyūshū to within 120 kilometres (75 mi) of the island of Taiwan. The islands are administratively divided into the Satsunan Islands to the north, belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture, and Ryūkyū Shotō to the south, belonging to Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Yoron Island is the southernmost island of the Satsunan Islands, and Yonaguni is the southernmost of the Ryukyu Islands.) The largest of the islands is Okinawa Island. The islands have a subtropical climate with warm winters and hot summers. Precipitation is very high, and is affected by the rainy... less